Diversity & Values
Values
- Collaboration (leadership on campus, university service, contribution to initiatives)
- Community (engagement, partnerships, library as place, outreach)
- Creativity (culture of experimentation, risk-taking, curiosity, flexibility)
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (welcoming space, belonging, cultural awareness, barrier-free access)
- Lifelong Learning (information literacy, research, intellectual rigor, public users)
- Respect (recognition, kindness, empathy, privacy, dignity)
- Stewardship (acquisition, organization and preservation of collections; intellectual freedom; professional best practices)
- Sustainability (financial stability, continuity of resources, environmental care, employee well-being)
Diversity
Oakland University Libraries are committed to the work of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility for our staff, the campus, and the local community. We acknowledge the historical role that libraries have played in the systematic suppression of underrepresented groups and recognize the need to actively address these inequalities. The Libraries aim to create environments where all people feel welcome, respected, and safe and have equitable opportunities to learn and grow. We will advocate and strive for collections, services, technologies, spaces, and events that are diverse, inclusive, and accessible.
Land Acknowledgement
Oakland University resides on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabe, known as the Three Fires Confederacy, comprised of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan.
In recognizing the history and respecting the sovereignty of Michigan’s Indian Nations, Oakland University honors the heritage of Indigenous communities and their significant role in shaping the course of this region. Further, we recognize the wrongs done to those forcibly removed from their Homelands and commit to fostering an environment of inclusion that is responsive to the needs of First Peoples through our words, policies, and actions.
The preservation and perpetuation of customs and traditions of Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage. A deep understanding of Native peoples’ past and present informs the teaching, research, and community engagement of the university in its ongoing effort to elevate the dignity of all people and serve as shared stewards of the land.
Created by Adriene Lim / Updated on November 8, 2018 by Adriene Lim